Concordia University put together a series of free art appreciation lessons. Though the lessons are no longer offered at their site, the archived version is available. We covered the Grade 1 and Grade 2 lessons some time ago. More recently, we tackled the Grade 3 and Grade 4 lessons. Here are the free lessons for Grade 5.
Table of Contents
How to Use the Resource
Art has a way of crossing all age barriers, so don’t worry too much about “grade level.” These well-written activities can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Each level includes 10 lessons that correspond to the months September through June (but can very easily be adjusted to fit your own schedule).
Each lesson includes background on the artist, information about the work, directed observation, activities, and recommended literature that would go well with the picture study.
Just a reminder, the background information is intended for the instructor. You’ll want to preview before you decide to pass it along to your student.
If you are looking for more, take an idea from these 8 ways to easily teach art appreciation.
Update: This resource is no longer available, so we are linking to an archived version.
Free Resource
Selected Works
George Caleb Bingham
Daniel Boone Escorting Settlers Through the Cumberland Gap
George Caleb Bingham Self-Portrait
Free History Studies: Daniel Boone
Learn more about Daniel Boone and the Cumberland Gap.
Frederic Edwin Church
Niagara Falls, From the American Side
Story of the Great Lakes ~ Free eBook
Interesting for background information.
Edward Sheriff Curtis
Frontier Photographer Edward S. Curtis
Smithsonian Exhibition.
Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze
Washington Crossing the Delaware
Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth
10 Facts About Washington Crossing the Delaware
Learn more at MountVernon.org.
Free History Studies: George Washington
George Washington was a beloved leader and outstanding citizen. Free unit resources.
Paul Revere
Paul Revere and His Engraving
Public domain book full of other works.
Longfellow’s Poem
Referred to in the guide.
Monthly Art Appreciation Lessons Free ~ Part 2
Includes the famous Copley painting of Paul Revere.
The Cradle of Liberty {Free eBook}
For background on Paul Revere.
Robert Scott Duncanson
Henrietta Dering Johnston
Thomas Moran
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of the Colorado River
Thomas Moran: Artistic Master of the Conservation Movement
Learn more at the National Park Service.
Martin Johnson Heade
Martin Johnson Heade
Four-page download from the National Art Gallery on Heade’s look at birds.
John Trumbull
General George Washington at Trenton
Additional Resources
Artist Notebooking Set
Simple pages for documenting the artist and works.
Art Index
All of our art resources in one place!
Keep Reading
Picturing America {Free Art History Lessons}
Picturing America is a free 130-page Teacher’s Resource book with 20 lessons that explore America through art.
Landseer’s Dogs and Their Stories ~ Free
Landseer’s Dogs and Their Stories by Sarah Tytler is a free book that tells the stories of several dog paintings by Sir Edwin Landseer.
Activity: Observe a Painting
Narrating paintings is another tool that can be used to develop a student’s writing skills.